Apparatus for automatically controlling and matching electric generators



March 9, 1937. PEARSON 2,073,426

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING AND MATCHING ELECTRIC GENERATORS Filed Nov. l2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L/Wavembr: fiml ewramw,

Wig a,

Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR TROLLING GENERATORS AUTOMATICALLY CON- AND .MATCHING ELECTRIC 26 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for automatically matching the frequencies of generators and the distribution system to which the generator is to be connected, and particularly to a generator controlled through a governor having a limit device for determining the maximum power input into the prime mover therefor.

An object of the invention resides in providing apparatus adapted to operate in conjunction with the limit device of the governor for the prime mover.

Another object of the invention resides in providing apparatus adapted to be disconnected from the governor limit device upon the generator being synchronized and connected to the distribution line.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing means for connecting the speed match- 90 log apparatus with the governor limit device when the apparatus is to be put into action.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a member adapted to be disposed in the path of movement of the limit device and in further providing means responsive to differences in the frequencies of the distribution system and generator for adjusting said device to vary the limit at which the limiting device is arrested.

An object of the invention resides in providing means for withdrawing said device disposed in the path of movement of the limiting device from such position to permit the limiting device to travel independently.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing said device disposed in the path of movement of the limiting device of the governor in the form of a dog and in providing a magnet for withdrawing said dog from the path of movement of said limiting device when the generator becomes synchronized with the distribution system.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or de- 45 scribed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a conventional diagram showing the connection of a governor to a water wheel, in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a similar diagrammatic view, on a larger scale of parts, and indicating the electrical, mechanical and fluid pressure connections of the several parts.

For the purpose of illustrating the application 55 of the invention, a portion of a governor, such as is used for controlling the speed of water wheels, has been shown which is indicated in its entirety at H]. Inasmuch as such governors are well known in the art, only certain portions of the same have been illustrated in detail. The gov- 5 ernor 10 includes a case H to which the various operating mechanisms of the same are attached. In the upperportion of this case is formed a bracket l2 which supports a vertically extending tube l3. The tube I3 is held in place within 10 said bracket by means of a set screw l4 and forms a bearing for a sleeve l5 which is rotatably mounted thereon. The sleeve l5 carries the usual fly balls l6 which operate in opposition to springs ll to reciprocate a head l8 slidable along 15 the upper portion of the sleeve G5. The head [8 is mounted upon the end of a spindle l9 which extends below the lowermost end of the tube l3. The sleeve I5 is driven through a bevel gear rigidly attached thereto, which meshes with a bevel pinion 2| fast on an operating shaft 22. The shaft 22 is journaled in a bearing 23 in case I l and may be driven from the generator or from the prime mover connected therewith, or may be driven from-a synchronous motor 22m or other similar device operating in synchronous relation with the generator. The governor operates in the usual manner to reciprocate the spindle l9 longi l tudinally as the speed of the shaft 22 varies.

In alignment with the spindle I 9 is a second spindle 24 which is disposed below the spindle i3 and which is slidably mounted in a sleeve 25. The sleeve 25 is mounted for reciprocation in bearings 26 formed in a bracket 21 in the cage H. The end of the spindle 24 is connected to a lever 28, whereby fluid controlled valves are manipulated to open and close the gate controlling the flow of water to the water wheel or other prime mover, as will be described hereinafter. The upper end of the spindle 24 has attached to it a flanged disc 29 against which the spindle it bears and which forms a seat for one end of a compression coil spring 30. The other end of this coil spring is seated in the end of a cylindrical member 3| which is rotatably mounted within a cup 32. The cup 32 is internally threaded to screw upon the threaded end 33 of the sleeve 25 and is adapted, upon rotation, to move toward or from the flanged disc 29 to vary the pressure upon the spring 30. For the purpose of rotating the cup 32, the same is provided with spiralled gear teeth 34 forming an elongated worm wheel. These gear teeth mesh with .a worm 35 rigidly attached to a shaft 36. The shaft 36 is journaled in bearings 37 in the case it and is provided with a gear 38 by means of which the same may be driven. It can readily be comprehended that the pressure exerted by the spring 30 may be varied by rotating the shaft 36 through the gear 88 mounted thereon or through a handle 38a attached to the end thereof.

The lever 28 is connected by a link I40 to a traveling lever I4I which is pivotally mounted at one end on a crank piece I42 which is pivoted to the fixed frame of the governor structure. The traveling lever IN is connected to the stem I 33 of a piston valve ltd which operates as a servomotor for controlling the supply and discharge of fiuid from the main control valve I65. This is conventionally shown on Fig. 2 of the drawings in conjunction with the conduits for the delivery and withdrawal of fiuid, and so devised and arranged that the movements of the link It!) cause valve movements for controlling the delivery of fluid under pressure to and from the conduits 14611., I661) which (Fig. l) are connected to opposite ends of the hydraulic cylinder I41 for moving the water controlling 'gate. In the conventional form shown in Fig. 1, this is accomplished by moving a piston within the cylinder I41 and thus actuating the piston rod I48 which is connected by the link I49 with a crank I50 positively attached for moving the gate I-5I located in a pen-stock I52 of the prime mover power plant, in order to control the fiow of water to the water wheel W from which it is discharged through the outfall I53. It will be understood that the water wheel WW drives the alternating generator AG in this illustrative form.

The main control valve I has an externally projecting valve rod I54 which is connected by a link I55 with the crank I42 to establish a partial compensation in and by the movement I of the servo-motor valve I44 to assure a proper the fixed frame.

operation of the parts as will be described hereinafter.

In the illustrative form shown, further, the piston rod I48 of the hydraulic gate-moving cylinder I 41 is connected by a link I51 with the crank lever I58 which is pivoted on the fixed structure and is connected by a link I 59 with the arm I60 fixed to the shaft 40. This crank lever I58 is also connected at the same arm at a point nearer the pivotal axis of the crank lever with a resiliently extensible link I6I. This link is in several sections and includes the housings I62a, I621), each of which has a spring follower I63 and a spring I66 therein. The upper end of the link ISI is connected to an end of the lever I65 whose other end is connected by a pivot I66 to Intermediate its length the lever is connected to the plunger I61 of a dash-pot device I68, and also is connected to an adjustable tension spring I69. The upper end of this tension spring I69 is engaged with the governor biasing lever I10 which is pivotally mounted on a bracket I" at one end, and at the other end extends into the governor casing II and bears upon the upper surface of the flanged disk 29. The downward tension upon lever I10 by spring I 60 may be overcome by the action of the solenoid I12 energized through the conductor wires I18 when taking load upon the generator, these wires being connected to the conductors I23, I24, and thus establishing a shunt circuit for solenoid I12 in parallel with the load-taking solenoid H5.

The operation of this speed correcting structure is to compensate for the characteristic of the governor of having a speed change for different loads. It operates for automatically adjusting the speed control at different loads so as to maintain a substantially constant and predetermined speed of the prime mover during diflerent load conditions. This is particularly valuable where several generating plants may be individually connectable to a distribution line, and it is desirable that each plant, when operating separately, shall maintain a predetermined frequency. When the gate I5I is moved by the piston rod I48, the link ISI is actuated so that the lower housing IBM is moved. The two pistons I63 are connected together with the spring I64 of housing I62a normally holding the lower piston I68 in its uppermost position. The upper housing I621) is fixedly connected by the upper end of link I6I to'lever I65. Thus when the rod I6I is moved upward at its lower end, the stop collar I6Ic maintains engagement with the upper housing I621). The movement of lever I65 is delayed by the dash-pot I68. Thereafter the lower spring I83 is compressed as the housing I521; moves upward relative to the lower piston I63, and then the link gradually extends again as the dash-pot I68 yields. Finally, the link I 6| extends itself to the full length.

When the link IGI is pulled downward, a similar action occurs, as the dash-pot delays the lever I65; with the result that the collar I6Ic is pulled away from the upper housing I62b and the spring I64 therein is compressed, and the link again finally attains a full extension at a rate controlled by the dash-pot I68.

Thus, the spring I65 is actuated at a lesser rate than the rate of movement of the gate, so that an automatic limitation is opposed to tendency for hunting, as mechanical inertia and overthrow of various parts is damped out. Hence the sudden changing of loading does not result in speed changes or frequency changes; and the system tends to operate at a steady frequency regardless of loading or changes of loading.

As usual, the lever 28 is biased for upward motion at its left-hand end (Fig. 2) by a spring I14, and is connected to a piston I 15 which fits closely in a cylinder provided in the web wall I19 of the control housing I connected to the governor casing. The web wall I19 also has an aperture I8I therein for the slow balancing of pressures between its compartments. The arm I60 of shaft 40 also is connected to a stem I83 of a piston I84 which, similarly to the piston I15, is located in a cylinder formed in the web wall I19. The piston I83 is usually larger in cross-section than the piston I15. These parts operate to effect a control of the gate in opening and closing under control of the governor, to prevent hunting. Thus, when a quick speed change occurs, the speed spindle 24 is moved quickly by the fiy balls, which operate through the general train and valves to cause a compensating movement at the gate. As the gate is moved, the link I59 moves, and therewith the piston I84; so that pressure difierentials are created in the upper and lower compartments of the housing I80 to produce an opposite and compensating movement of piston I13 which changes the fulcrum point of lever 28 and thus modifies the position of link I40. Thus a lesser instantaneous movement of the control rod I40 occurs than the related movement of the speed spindle 24. Due to the presence of the leak I8I, however, the piston I15 more slowly responds to the action of spring I14; so that ultimately the movement of link I40 becomes fully equivalent tothe movement of the speed spindle 24.

# nected for energizing the line 50, and being driv- 10 e'n by the prime mover WW. Likewise, the distribution line is indicated at 54 which comprises bussesf55, 58 and 51. Inasmuch as any suitable generators and prime movers may be employed for energizing these lines," the same have only 15 been illustrated diagrammatically in the drawings. The line 50 is normally disconnected from the line'54 and is adapted to be connected thereto through amain line switch 58. This line switch includes fiveoontactors 59, 50, GI, 62 and 83 20 simultaneously operable through a single operating member, as for example, a plunger 84 adapted to be moved through a solenoid 65. The contactors 59, 50 and GI respectively connect the buss 5| with the buss 55, the buss 52 with the -25 buss 56, and the bus 53 with the buss 51.

For limiting the opening of the gate controlling the flow of water to the water wheel, the limit arm 39 is employed which is mounted upon the eccentric shaft 40."- This arm is formed with 3 a lug H on one side thereof which is adapted L3 nected in series with one another.

to engage a finger 42 formed on a lever 43. Lever 43 is pivoted at 43a to the case ii. A fork 44 formed on the other end of said lever engages between two collars on spindle 24 whereby movement of said spindle is imparted to the lever 43. 'I'he'free end of the arm 39 is formed with a shoe 46 which rests upon a spiral cam 41. Cam 41 is pivoted to the case I I at 49c and may be manually'operated. This cam is constructed to cause the governor to completely close the gate con- .trolling the flow of water to the water wheel when the shoe 46 rests upon the highest portion .48 thereof and to cause the" governor to completely open the gate when said shoe rests upon the lowest portion 49 thereof.

For the purpose of controllingthe mechanism operating in conjunction with the limit arm 39, I employ a motor indicated in its entirety at 66, which is in the nature of a synchrcscope. This motor. comprises a fieldcore 61 and a rotor 68 rotatable relative thereto. The rotor 68 is provided with windings 69 and which are connected to slip rings 1| and 12. The field core 61 is provided with windings 13 and 14 which are con- A shaft rotatably supports the rotor 98 and has mounted upon the same acontact finger 16. The contact finger 16 may be frictionally driven through frictional engagement with the shaft 15 or any other suitable structure rotated thereby and may have its rotational movement arrested by engagement with either of two fixed contacts 11 and 18. When the shaft 15 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, finger 16 contacts with contact 18 and so continues to contact during the rotation of said shaft 'in the same direction. Upon the rotation of shaft 15 in the opposite direction, the finger 16 contacts with the contact l1 and continues to so contact during the continued rotation of said shaft in the same direction. Finger 18 is hence in contact with one of the contacts 11 or 18, depending upon the direction of rotation of shaft 15.

The motor 69 is energized both from the line 59 and from the line 54. For the purpose of connecting said motor with said lines, a circuit closer 19 is employed which is provided with four contactors 88, 8|, 82 and 88 which all move simulta-- neously through a single operating member, as for example, a plunger 85 adapted tobe moved by a solenoid 84. The contacts 88, 8|, 82 and 88 are normally open and, upon actuation by the solenoid 84, serve to close the circuits controlled thereby. The following circuits are closed by said circuit closer- The busses 59 and 52 of the lines 54 and 58 are connected together through leads 85, 81 and 88 which in turn are connected to a common lead 89. The lead 89 is connected to the slip ring 1| of motor 68 through a conductor 98 and is further connected through a conductor 91 with the free end of the field coil 13. The contactor 82 of circpit closer 19 serves to complete the circuit through the lead 89 which is normally open. A lead 92 is connected from the buss 51 of the distribution line to the field coil 14 of motor 66. This lead is normally open and is adapted to be closed through the contactor 83 of circuit closer 19. In a similar manner, a lead 93 is connected to the buss 53 of the generator line and to the slip ring 12 of motor 66. The circuit through this lead is normally open and may be closed through the contactor 8| of circuit closer 19. By .means of these circuits, the rotor windings of the motor 96 are adapted to be energized from the distribution line 54 and the field windings of said motor to be energized from the generator line 50 upon closure of the circuit closer 19.

Due to the energizing of the relatively movable windings of the motor 99 from two independent sources of electric current, said motor is caused to rotate and operate in much the same manner as an ordinary synchroscope, rotating in one direction when the frequency of the current in the generator line is greater than that in the distribu tion line; and rotating in the opposite direction when,the frequency of the current in the generator line is less than that in the distribution line. The speed of rotation of the shaft 15 of motor 66 depends upon the difference in frequency between the currents in the generator line and distribution line, and the said shaft comes to rest when the two frequencies are equal.

For operating the circuit closer 19, energy is derived from the generator line 50 through a circuit comprising leads 94 and 95, of which the lead 94 is connected to the buss 52 of the generator line through the lead 81, and of which lead 95 is connected to the buss 53 of said generator line through the lead 93. The leads 94 and 95 are directly connected to the solenoid 84 of the circuit closer 19. The circuit through the solenoid 84 is normally closed through the contactor 92 of the main line switch 59 which is connected to the lead 95. When the generator is brought up to speed to deliver sufiicient current to energize the solenoid 84, the circuit closer 19 is operated to close the various contactors 89, BI, 82 and 83, which energizes the motor 66 and sets the same in operation.

In conjunction with the limit arm of lever 39 of the governor iii, a control mechanism is employed which is mounted on a slideway 96 of the governor casing ii for vertical movement under control of means responsive to liquid level, such as the water level prevailing in the mill pond supplying the pen-stock I52. For this purpose, a chamber I 90 is illustratively employed for containing a colunm of liquid for supporting the float l9! which is mounted on a lever I92 pivoted to the fixed frame and connected by a link 093 with the general sliding structure I84. On this sliding structure I84 is a bracket 81 opposite the end of which may be adjusted the slide 88. This slide has a slot 99 through which extends a screw I 6 engaged in the end of bracket 81 for preventing disassembly of the parts. The other end of the slide 88 is formed with a boss IOI which has attached to it a screw I02. This screw is slidably mounted in two bearings I03 and I04 which are connected together and supported on a base I05 carried by the case II of governor I0. Between the two bearings I08 and I04 is disposed a. worm wheel I08 which is internally threaded to screw upon the screw I02. By rotating the worm wheel I05, the screw I02 may be caused to raise and lower so as to slide the slide 80 relative to the bracket 81.

For rotating the worm wheel I08, a motor I01 may be employed, which is provided with the 20 usual armature shaft I08. A worm I08 mounted upon the armature shaft I00 meshes with the worm wheel I08 and serves to rotate said worm to raise and lower the screw I02. The motor I01 may be attached to the base I05 in any suitable manner and may be energized from the line 54 or from any suitable source of energy not illustrated. For this purpose, a line IIO has been shown which comprises leads III and H2. The lead III is directly connected to the motor I01, while the lead H2 is broken and adapted to be closed by the contactor 80 of the circuit closer 18 when said circuit closer is operated by the solenoid 88. The lead H2 is electrically .connected with the contact finger I8 ,on shaft through any suitable means. The motor I01 is provided with two leads, H3 and H4 adapted to operate the motor in either direction. These leads are directly connected to the contacts 11 and 18 previously referred to. Upon closing the circuit closer 19, as previously brought out, shaft 15 is caused to rotate in one direction or the other depending upon the diiference in frequency of the currents in the generator line and in the distribution line. As soon as such rotation occurs, contact between the finger 16 and one of the contacts 11 or 18 is made, closing the circuit through the motor I01 which sets said motor into operation. Assuming that the shaft 15 is rotated in a clockwise direction, finger 18 would be caused to contact with the contact 11. This would complete the circuit from lead III through motor I01, through lead M3 to contact 11, through the finger 16 to lead II2, said lead being closed through the contactor 80. The motor I01 would then travel in one direction. Upon the reversal of movement of shaft 15, finger 16 would make contact with the contact 18 closing the motor circuit through the lead H4 and causing the motor to rotate in the opposite direction. In this manner the screw I02 can be raised or lowered, depending upon the direction of rotation of shaft 15.

The slide 88 carries an electromagnet I I5 which is provided with a base I I6 secured to said slide. A plunger II1 is adapted to be attracted by said solenoid. This plunger is pivotally connected to a bell crank I I8 which in turn is journaled on a pintle H9 mounted in a supporting bracket I20 attached to the slide 88. The bell crank H8 is formed with a dog or catch I2I at the free end thereof which is adapted to engage a finger I22 on the extreme end of the limit arm 38. When said dog is in engagement with finger 42, the 75 shoe 48 is out of engagement with the cam 41 thereby altering the maximum gate opening which would otherwise be determined by said cam. The solenoid H5 is connected through a lead I23 with the buss 52 of line 50 through the lead 80. This solenoid is further connected through a lead [24 with the buss 53 of said line through the lead 83. Lead I24 is normally broken and may be closed through the contactor 83 of the line switch 58 previously referred to. Prior to the closing of the line switch 58, the plunger II1 is free and the dog I2I is held into engagement with the end of the finger I22 through the weight of the bell crank I I8 and plunger I I1. As soon as the line switch 581s c fosesl, the circuit is completed through the lead 98. Mad I20, solenoid H5, lead I23 and lead 86 pack to the buss 53, thereby energizing said solenoid. Upon the solenoid [I5 being energized, plunger I I1 is drawn into the said solenoid, operating bell crank H8 and disengaging the dog I2I from the finger I22. This releases the arm 38 which drops through gravity until the shoe 08 thereof rests upon the cam 81. When the parts are so disposed, the control mechanism 88 is inoperative and completely disconnected from the limit arm 38, permitting the limit device of the governor to operate in the usual and customary manner.

For starting the invention, I employ a cylinder I25 having the usual piston therein adapted to operate a piston rod I26. The cylinder I25 is mounted upon a shelf I30 secured to the case II of the governor I0. A pipe I21 may be connected to the cylinder I20 and serves to furnish the same with a fiuid under pressure. Upon subjecting the cylinder I25 to fluid under pressure from conduit I26a, the piston I26 may be moved outwardly and by applying suction from conduit I281) to the fluid within the cylinder I25, said Piston rod may be moved in the opposite direction. Inasmuch as the means for applying fluid under pressure to the cylinder I25 do not form any particular feature of this invention, the same have not been shown or described in detail, though it can readily be comprehended that any suitable construction may be employed and that an electrically operated valve I21a with a motor I210 selectively energized through remote control conductors IZIc, such as is now commonly known in the art may be utilized to control the movement of the piston rod I28. The piston rod I28 is pivotally connected to one end of a lever I28 which is pivoted to a support I28 carried by the base I05 and the shelf I30. The other end of the lever I28 has pivotally connected to it a toggle link I3I which is formed with a slot I32 at the free end thereof. A pin I34 secured to the finger I22 is slidable within the slot I32 and serves to guide the movement of the upper end of the toggle link I3I. The slot I 32 is of such length and is so situated with respect to the case I I that when the lever I28 is in the position shown in the drawings, the limit arm 38 is free to move from the portion 48 of cam 41 to the portion 48 thereof without interference. When the toggle link I3I is straightened out by the movement of the piston rod I26 inwardly into the cylinder I25, the pin I34 is engaged by the lower end of the slot I32 which elevates the arm 38 sufficiently to bring the shoe 48 out of engagement with the cam 41 an amount sufficient to completely close the gate controlling the flow of water to the water wheel. This shuts down the prime mover and generator, rendering all of the mechanism inoperative and leaving the generator completely disconnected from the distribution line.

iii

The operation of the invention is as follows:

The slide I94 and the parts supported thereby are positioned in accordance with the liquid level prevailing at the float I9I, and thus the arm 39 is given an initial positioning tending automatically to compensate for changes in the water head, in this illustrated form, upon the water wheel. It will be noted that this occurs without any modification or change of the relationship of the dog I2I with respect to the lower end I22 of the arm 39. Upon subjecting the cylinder I25 to fluid under-pressure from the v pipe I21, lever I28 is oscillated and the toggle generator is brought into operation. As soon as the generator comes up to voltage a circuit is completed from the buss 53 of the generator line 50 through contactor 62, lead 95;solenoid 84 of the circuit closer 19, lead 94, lead 81, and lead 86, back to the buss 52 of said line. Due to the fact that the/main line switch 58 is normally in 'the position shown in the drawings, the contactor 62 is normally closed and, as stated, when the voltage of the generator comes up, the solenoid 8 1 is energized and the circuit closer 19 closed. This completes circuits through all of the contactors 80, 8t, 82 and 83., Upon closing the circuit closer 19, the motor 66 is energized from both the distribution line and the generator line as previously brought out, and where differences in frequency between the currents in the generator line and distribution line occur, said motor rotates in one direction or the other as the case may be. The rotation of the shaft 15 of motor 66 causes the finger 16 to contact with either of the contacts 11 and 18 completing a circuit through the motor I01 which includes the contactor 80 thereby energizing said motor and turning the worm wheel I06. This raises or lowers the slide 98 and at the same time swinging arm 39 until the proper gate opening has been procured to bring the generator into synchronism with the distribution line. When the current in the generator line is in synchronism with that of the distribution line, a synchronizing apparatus SA is rendered operable to close a switch SC and thus a circuit designated at 85911 which includes the solenoid 65 of the line switch 58. This closes the line switch and cuts in the generator. The closing of the line switch 58 also breaks the circuit through the contactor 62 which releases the circuit closer 19 and deprives the motor I01 and motor 66 of current. At the same time, a circuit is established through the contactor 63 which includes the lead I24, solenoid H5, lead I23, and lead 86 and is connected to the buss 52 and 53. Upon closure of this circuit, the plunger II1 of solenoid H is retracted and the dog I2l disengaged from the finger I22 of the limit arm 39. As long as the generator is connected in the line, the dog I2I remains disengaged, permitting the arm 39 to function in its normal manner without interference from the operating mechanism of my invention. When the generator is operating, my mechanism is virtually disconnected from the operating parts of the governor so that the same may function in the normal manner.

During the operation of the system, it will be noted that the rise or fall of water level operates automatically -by reason of the slowing or rection in the speed of the alternator by changing the position of opening of the gate I5I in the usual way. At the same time, during the operation of the alternator, also, the float I9I responds to the changes of water level or head and thus moves the dog I2I to a new position, at which it is capable (upon a new starting operation) to bring the alternator to a no load condition of synchronism with the network in the form illustrated.

Changes of the gate I5I in accordance with the load on the alternator AG, or in accordance 'with changes of the water head, are accompanied by a movement of the crank lever I58, and therewith through the compound link I66 ior varying the tension of the spring I69. dash-pot I63 operates to delay the movement of the lever I65 whereby to avoid a sudden release of pressure exerted by lever ilil upon the plate 29 at so fast a rate that the governor fly balls I6 suddenly move outward and tend to eflect a rapid change in the structure for moving the gate. Such rapid changes are apt to cause hunting effects, and by providing the dashpot I68, and in particular by providing the lever I with the spring load Hi9 thereon (this spring load being responsive to the change of position of the gate itself), I am enabled to establish-a compensation for maintaining the desired frequency of the alternator under change of load and without undesirable hunting effects. When it is desired to give a sudden impetus in the system, however, this can be attained by energizing the wires I13 and thereafter the solenoid I12 to lift the lever I10 and thus reduce or eliminate its effect upon the plate 29.

Further, as the load changes, the efiect of the cam 49a connected to the arm Itii in moving the lever 40?) and therewith acting upon the sliding sleeve 25 is utilized to change the setting of the sleeve 25 to avoid hunting. As this oc== curs, however, it will be noted that the spring I69 is simultaneously being tensioned or released in consonance therewith to attain a proper progressive control of the system. 1

When it is desired to disconnect the generator, the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder 925 is reduced, causing the toggle link 038 to straighten out and to elevate the lever 39 sufflciently to completely close the gate control ling the flow of water to the water wheel. When this happens, the voltage of the generator drops and the energy for maintaining the line switch 58 closed, which may be derived from the generator circuit, is cut off, causing the main line switch to open and disconnect the generator line from the distribution line. When the generator is to be connected again, it will be found that the position of the worm H35 and slide 9% relative to the slide IS S is exactly the same as when the generator was last out in, so that the gate is usually opened exactly the same amount as it was previously opened when the generator current was in synchronism with the distribution line current. With head water and other condi tions practically constant from one time to the next, the generator in most cases is cut in almost instantaneously and very quickly when the conditions difier slightly. In this manner less time is used and less adjustment of the apparatus required.

The slide 89 3 is operated by the float Nil, preferably in proportion to the efiectof the change of head upon the generator operation at speeding of the governor to accomplish a cor- The no load, in such a manner that the dog iii is being maintained at a proper position for quick- 1y bringing the generator to synchronism at no load soon after the solenoid 5251s energized,

5 regardless of the changes of water level which may have occurred since the last operation. Thus the system becomes operative for quick paralleling either with substantially constant head water conditions or with head water conditions which fluctuate during the intervals irom one starting to the next.

The advantages of my invention are manifest. My apparatus operates in conjunction with the limit device of the governor and functions in a 1 simple and emcient manner to bring the generator into synchronism with the distribution line in a minimum length of time. The apparatus is entirely disconnected from the limit device when the generator has been out in, permitting the limit device to function in its normal manner.

The device is fully automatic and may be operated from remote control if desired.

Changes in the specific form of the invention as herein described may be made within the scope or what is claimed without departing from the spirit or my invention.

I claim:

I. In combination, an alternating current distribution system, a generator adapted to supply 39 electric power thereto, a prime mover for said generator, a governor for said prime mover including a movable member movable in opposite directions to increase and decrease the power input to said prime mover, a movable limit device for limiting the movement of said movable mem= her, and means responsive to difierences in the frequencies of the distribution system and generator for terminating the movement of said llmit device.

40 2. In combination, an alternating current dis tribution system, a generator adapted to supply electric power thereto, a prime mover for said generator, a governor for said prime mover, means for limiting the opening of said governor including a movable member movable in opposite directions to increase and decrease the power input to said prime mover, means afiecting the movement of said movable member, means responsive to difierences in the frequencies of the distribution system and generator for operating said means for afiecting the movement of said movable member, and means for rendering said means for afiecting the movement of said movable member inoperative upon said generator becoming synchronized with said distribution system to cause the governor to function in normal manner.

3. In combination, an alternating current distribution system, a generator adapted to supply electric power thereto, a prime mover for said generator, a governor for said prime mover including a movable member movable in opposite directions to increase and decrease the power input to said prime mover, a movable limit device for limiting the movement of said movable member, an adjustable stop adapted to be moved into the path of movement of said movable limit device for arresting the movement thereof, and means responsive to differences in the frequencies of the distribution system and generator for adjusting said stop.

4. In combination, an alternating current distribution system, a generator adapted to supply electric power thereto, a prime mover for said generator, a governor for said prime mover including a movable membe movable in opposite directions to increase and ecrease the power input to said prime mover, a movable limit device for limiting the movement of said movable memher, an adjustable stop adapted to be moved into the path of movement of said movable limit device for arresting the movement thereot, means responsive to difierences in frequencies of the distribution system and generator for adjusting said stop, and means for withdrawing said stop from the path or movement of said limit device upon the generator becoming synchronized with said distribution system.

5. In combination, an alternating current distrlbutlon system, a generator adapted to supply electric power thereto, a prime mover for said generator, a governor for said prime mover including means movable in opposite directions to increase and decrease the power input to said prime mover, a movable limit device for limiting the movement of said movable means, a movable member disposed in the path or movement oi said limit device, and means responsive to difierences in frequencies of the distribution system and gen erator for moving said movable member.

6. In combination, an alternating current distribution system, a generator adapted to supply electric power thereto, a prime mover for said generator, a governor for said prime mover in= cludlng means movable in opposite directions to increase and decrease the power input to said prime mover, a movable limit device for limiting the movement of said movable means, a movable member disposed in the path of movement of said limit device, means responsive to difierences in frequencies of the distribution system and gene erator for moving said movable member, and means independent of said movable member for moving said limit device to a position causing the cutting on of the power input to said generator.

7. In combination, a generator, aprime mover for said generator, control means for controlling the rate of delivery of energy to said prime mover,

said control means including a member movabie in accordance with the rate or delivery of the energy, means for moving said member to cause the energy to be delivered at difierent rates, two limit devices for limiting the movement of said movable member, and means for rendering one of said limit devices ineirective.

8. In combination, an alternating current distribution system, a generator adapted to supply electric power thereto, a prime mover for the generator, control means for controlling the rate of delivery of energy to said prime mover, said control means including a member movable in accordance with the rate of delivery of the energy, means for moving said member to cause the energy to be delivered at different rates, two limit devices therefor, means for retaining one of said limit devices at a position to deliver energy at a rate to operate the prime mover at substantially synchronous speed, the other limit device being capable of being set at a position to deliver energy at a rate to operate the prime mover under load, and means for rendering said first-named limit device ineflective.

9. In combination, a generator, a prime mover for said generator, control means for controlling the rate of delivery of energy to said prime mover, said control means including a member movable in accordance with the rate of delivery of the energy, means for moving said member to cause the energy to be delivered at dlilerent rates, two limit devices for limiting the movement of said movable member, means for moving one of said limit devices to vary the limit thereof, and means for rendering said last-mentioned limit device inefiective.

10. In combination with an alternating current distributing system, a generator, a prime mover for said generator, means for connecting said generator to said system, a governor responsive to the speed of said prime mover, means for admitting driving medium to said prime mover, an actuating connection between said governor and admitting means including an adjustable member, means responsive to the frequency difference between said generator and system for moving said member to bring the prime mover and generator to synchronous speed and including a releasable detent engaged with said member, means for limiting the movement of said member whereby to limitthe maximum supply of driving medium to said prime mover,and means operated with said connecting means as the latter closes for releasing said detent so that the member is thereafter free to move independently of the position of said moving means. 11. In combination with an alternating current distributing system, a generator, a prime mover for said generator, means for connecting said generator tosaid system, a governor responsive to the speed of said prime mover, means 3 for admitting driving medium to said prime mover, an actuating connection between said governor and admitting means including an adjustable member, first means for controlling the position of said member including devices for moving the same to synchronize the generator with said system, second means for controlling the position of said member to establish a maximum opening of said admitting means, and devices operated with said connecting means for mechanically disconnecting said first means and placing said member under the control of said second means when said connecting means is moved to circuit-closing position.

12. A combination as in claim 11, in which said synchronizing and disconnecting devices include elements operative when the connecting means is moved to circuit-closing position for maintaining the synchronizing devices in the prevailing position ready for immediately bringing the generator back to synchronous speed upon re-energization of said first means.

13. A combination as in claim 11, including means for moving the member to position for shutting said admitting means and in which said synchronizing and disconnecting devices include elements operative when the connecting means is moved to open position for restoring said first means mechanically to control of said member when the latter has been moved toward said shut- 0 ting position.

14. In combination with an alternating current distributing system, a generator, a prime mover for said generator, means for connecting said generator to said system, a governor responsive to the speed of said prime mover, means for admitadmitting means for admitting more of said medium than is required for maintaining said generator at synchronous speed under the synchcronizing conditions, and devices operated with said connecting means for mechanically disconnecting said first means and placing said member under the control of said second means when said connecting means is moved to circuit-closing position so that a greater supply of driving medium is admitted to said prime mover when the generator is being connected to the system whereby the generator will deliver current to said system.

15. In combination with" an alternating current distributing system, a generator, means for connecting said generator to said system, a prime mover for said generator, means for admitting driving medium to said prime mover, a governor responsive to the speed of said prime mover, means controlled by said governor for regulating said admitting means, means actuated when the connecting means is operated for connecting said generator to said system and then active for pro ducing a predetermined movement of said ad= mitting means independently of the position oi? the governor so that an acceleration is given to the generator upon connection to the system and control means for restraining the regulation of said admitting means by said governor during said acceleration and being connected for permitting said regulation after the acceleration and while the generator continues to deliver power to said system.

7 16. In combination with an electrical distribution system, a generator, means for connecting said generator to said system, a prime mover for said generator, means for controlling the admission of driving medium to said prime mover including means for urging the same for increasing the supply of driving medium, a detent for restricting the supply-increasing control movement of the control means whereby to establish a predetermined electrical relation of the generator with the system, means responsive to said electrical relation for actuating said connecting means, and means for terminating the restriction of the control means by said detent so that the control means operates to efiect a greater supply of driving medium while the generator is in condition for delivering power through the connecting means to said system.

17. In combination with an electrical distribution system, a generator, a prime mover for said generator, means for regulating the admission of driving medium to said prime mover, means operative to move said regulating means to increase the supply of driving medium to said prime mover, a detent operating upon the regulating means for restricting the rate of supply of driving medium to the prime mover so that the prime mover and generator are brought to and maintained at a speed at which the generator may be connected to the system, and means for terminating the restriction of the regulating means by the detent so that the regulating means will increase the supply ofdriving medium to the prime mover when the generator is in condition for delivering current to the system.

18. In combination with an electrical distribution system, a generator, a prime mover for said generator, means for regulating the admission of driving medium to said prime mover, means operative to move said regulating means to increase the supply of driving medium to said prime mover, a detent for restricting the rate of supply of driving medium to the prime mover so that the prime mover and generator are brought to and maintained at a speed at which the generator may be said generator to said system, a prime mover for said generator, means for controlling the admission of driving medium to said prime mover including means for urging the same for increasing the supply of driving medium, a detent for restricting the supply-increasing control m0ve= ment of the control means, means for moving said detent and therewith said control means whereby to establish a predetermined electrical relation of the'generator with the system, means responsive to said electrical relation for actuating said connecting means, andizneans for terminating the restriction of the control means by said detent so that the control means operates to efiect a greater supply of driving medium while the generator is in conditionfor delivering power through the connecting means to said system."

so. in combination, an electric distribution system, an electric generator and a prime mover therefor, a governor for said prime mover including a member movable for determining the power input to the prime mover, a movable limit device for limiting the movement of said member during a time prior to the connection'of said generator to said electrical system, and means responsive to the available supply of driving medium for the prime mover for moving said limit device.

21. In combination, an electric distribution system, an electric generator and a prime'mover therefor, a governor for said prime mover includ- 4o ing a member movable for determining the power er, and means responsive to the relative electrical condition of the system and the generator for terminating the action of said limiting means upon said member.

22. In combination, an electric distribution system, an electric generator and a prime mover therefor, a governor for said prime mover including a member movable for determining the power input to the prime mover, means for limiting said 55 member for predetermining an initial speed condition of the generator, means for moving said limiting means in response to change of available supply of driving medium for the prime mover, means for moving said limiting means 60 responsive to the speed of said generator, and

2,07%,d98 connected to the system, and control means for means responsive to the relative electrical condition of the system and the generator for terminating the action of said limiting means upon said member.

23. In combination, an electrical distribution system; a generator and a prime mover therefor; a governor including means responsive to thespeed of the prime mover, a member actuated from the responsive means for varying the supply or driving medium to the prime mover, and iirst means actuated from said movable member for compensatingfor the movement thereof; and second means also actuated from said movable member for controlling said responsive means to compensate for the movement of said first compensating means.

24. A combination as in claim 23, in which the governor includes an element moved directly by said responsive means, and a spring connection between said element and said member; and in which said second means includes a lever for pressing upon said element, and a spring con= nected to said lever and said'flrst compensating means. 7

25. In a speed governing control system for a prime mover, a source of supply of driving n1edium for the prime mover, a first means actuated by the prime mover for determining a rate of supply from said source for driving the prime mover at a predetermined rate of speed, a second means actuated in accordance with the variation of the flow of driving medium delivered to said prime mover for changing the rate of speed as controlled by the said first means, a third means actuated in accordance with a varying flow of driving medium delivered to said prime mover and including a time delay device for effecting an adjustment of said first means to compensate for the change in the rate of speed pro cured by the said second means so that a substantially constant rate of speed is maintained throughout a varying flow of driving medium delivered to said prime mover.

26. In a speed governing control system for a prime mover, a source or supply of driving medium for the prime mover, a first means actuated by the prime mover for determining a rate of supply from said source for driving the prime mover at a predetermined speed, a second means actuated in accordance with the rate at which power is delivered by said prime mover for changing the rate of speed as controlled by the said first means, a third means including a time delay device for effecting an adjustment of said first means to compensate for the change in the rate of speed procured by the said second means so that substantially a predetermined speed is maintained regardless of variations of the rate at which power is delivered by said prime mover.

ERICK PEARSON. 

